Bulkhead adapter for cargo truck

Abstract

A bulkhead adapter for a DOT rated bulkhead installed on a flatbed vehicle includes a pair of wings attached one to each side of the bulkhead. Each wing includes a vertical member attached to the side panel of the bulkhead and an upper member extending from the upper end of the vertical member. Each upper member is configured for attachment to the corner of the upper panel of the bulkhead, which may be curved or rounded. A compressible seal is disposed between each wing and the bulkhead. The wings are attached with suitable fasteners such as bolts or screws. The wings are preferably made of metal such as steel or aluminum. The adapter widens the bulkhead to allow for the installation of a flexible cover system such as the Conestoga® system to cover the bed of the vehicle to protect the cargo space from inclement weather and road debris.

What is claimed is:  
     
       1. For a flatbed vehicle having a DOT-rated bulkhead including a top panel and opposite side panels, an apparatus for extending the width of the bulkhead for installation of a flexible cover system to cover the bed of the vehicle when the flexible cover is deployed, said apparatus comprising: 
       a pair of wings attachable one to each of the opposite side panels of the bulkhead to widen the bulkhead; and  
       means for attachment of each of said pair of wings to the side panels.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each said wing includes a vertically upstanding member and an upper member extending from an upper end of said vertical member configured to match a corner of the bulkhead between the top panel and the corresponding side panel. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said upper end of said vertical member defines a channel and said upper member includes a lower end slidably receivable in said channel. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 2  wherein said upper member is integral with said vertical member. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each of said pair of wings defines a rearward facing sealing surface for engagement with the flexible cover system. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein said attachment means includes a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 1  further including a first seal disposed between each said wing and the bulkhead. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said first seal is a compressible seal. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 7  wherein said first seal includes a caulking material. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 5  further including a second seal attachable to said sealing surface to seal the flexible cover system to said bulkhead. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said second seal includes a gasket. 
     
     
       12. A bulkhead kit for a flatbed vehicle having a flexible cover system to cover the bed of the vehicle when the flexible cover is deployed, said bulkhead kit comprising: 
       a DOT-rated bulkhead, including a top panel and opposite side panels;  
       a pair of wings attachable one to each of said opposite side panels of said bulkhead to widen said bulkhead; and  
       means for attachment of each of said pair of wings to said side panels.  
     
     
       13. The bulkhead kit of  claim 12  wherein each said wing includes a vertically upstanding member and an upper,member extending from an upper end of said vertical member configured to match a corner of said bulkhead between said top panel and said corresponding side panel. 
     
     
       14. The bulkhead kit of  claim 12  wherein said upper end of said vertical member defines a channel and said upper member includes a lower end slidably receivable in said channel. 
     
     
       15. The bulkhead kit of  claim 12  further including a fist seal disposed between each said wing and said bulkhead. 
     
     
       16. The bulkhead kit of  claim 12  wherein each of said pair of wings defines a rearward facing sealing surface for engagement with the flexible cover system. 
     
     
       17. The bulkhead kit of  claim 16  further including a second seal attachable to said sealing surface to seal the flexible cover to said bulkhead.